Layjiani will go with whatever trip is needed so that the number of guards are as close to even as possible on each crossingThat would be with Gashelle,
While we're waiting, Gashelle will ask Layjani, "How long h- have you w- worked as a c- caravan guard?"
Layjiani looks at Gashelle a moment before replying "This no be the type of work this one normally does. This one do no work so well with others... Alone this one is, most of the time. It give some small pleasure to this one to explore...old ruins and dungeons...Seeks to find her elven roots, this one does." uncomfortable with speaking so many words and sharing so much of herself with another, Layjiani turns away. Yet she is also curious and somewhat confused why she found it so easy to do so with this woman. Could it be because she too was unsure of her Elven blood or of her right to it?
Further introspection was denied her as the crashing thunder and lightening startled the horses and it took all of her skill and concentration to try and handle (1d20+4=14) them
The Pathfinder rules no longer allow Gashelle to make an Handle Animals roll unskilled.
EDIT: Reading more carefully, I see that the Pathfinder team changed the skills table, but not the skill description. If Gashelle can make a Charisma check instead, she gets a result of 11.
Somewhat surprisingly, instead of reacting with intimidation or annoyance, Layjiani merely smiles coyly and says "Or maybe he do fall on his ass"
Apparently she is used to dealing with rough men.
Ehe crew laugh again at Layjianis comment and the set to hauling the barge over the now quite rough waters of the river. As you touch the far bank the wind increases to a howling gale(over 30mph) and the thunderstorm gains an added dimension as the rain turns to a stinging sleet
"Layjiani, the n- n- next time you d- dare to t- t- tease a god, make s- sure he's not l- listening."
It impossible to tell whether Gashelles stutter comes from the cold. But her mouth is set in a grim smile.
Not normally one to pay much attention or respect to Divine beings who demand worship but who never seemed to be there for her in her past when she needed and begged for their support, Layjiani would normally answer such a comment with a sharp word or just completely ignore it.
However, under the current circumstances, the force of the storm is hard to ignore and Gashelle sees her glance several times up at the sky with something approaching chagrin or concern or at the very least curiosity on her face.
Aude is surprised by Gashelle's words and looks around her
' You believe this god is here? '
Well the horses are not happy..but you are able to get them into a big barn which calms them down a little.The wagons both have good serviceable tarpaulins over them( hey these are dwarves..the most practical race in the multiverse)
Once assembled again and with the animals under cover you make your way through the deluge to the Central hall. The ferry men have packed it in for the night..they might be Skandiks but even they don't take stupid risks.
Within the hall you are greeted by a tall woman in her early thirties she motions and two younger women bring trays of bread and salt to you
"Greetings Travellers..I am Dinorta Stasdt..leader of these folk ..please take bread and salt and be welcome to the Hall of the Vanguard"
The hall is large with a number of tables running it's length..it's noisy but there's none of the rowdyness you would expect from a Skandik feast hall.Even the serving maids don't get pinched though there is some flirtation occuring...Over 100 warriors sit to dinner some with families at their sides.
Your entrance causes a few heads to turn and some whispers to break out.
After taking bread and salt , Aude will ask Dinora
'Greetings , Dinora , I'm Aude Cooper , a priestress of Pharasma trained in midwifery . Does anyone here need my help ?
"Greetings Travellers..I am Dinorta Stasdt..leader of these folk ..please take bread and salt and be welcome to the Hall of the Vanguard"
... and then Aude goes and offends their nursing. If they have a midwife at all, she'll be offended.
"We thank you for you welcome," Eltariel declares perhaps a little louder than she needed to. "The hospitality of your hall is like a welcome harbour in a storm amid this wild land," and thank the gods Mother made me read those execrable human epics Uncle Cetefar compiled, she thinks. I just hope that if anyone recognizes that I'm quoting they'll assume I'm flattering, not plagiarising!
"Greetings Travellers..I am Dinorta Stasdt..leader of these folk ..please take bread and salt and be welcome to the Hall of the Vanguard"
"Ah, to be among good Skandik folk again! I am Holgur and I most am most thankful for your gracious welcome! There is mead here, I hope!"
Holgur can barely stop smiling
Avinar smiles at the bread, "I am most gracious" He looks to find a quiet corner and hopes Eltariel will join him.
"Greetings Travellers..I am Dinorta Stasdt..leader of these folk ..please take bread and salt and be welcome to the Hall of the Vanguard"... and then Aude goes and offends their nursing. If they have a midwife at all, she'll be offended.
Dinorta smiles slightly and the young girls giggle.
"We have quite proficient midwives here thank you Aude....but thank you for your offer." at Eltariels greeting she turns to her "Come Lady bring your companions and join us at the top table it is not often we play host to the Alfar"
She leads you to the top of the hall where a table sits on a low stage.
You are seated by her. Wooden platters are set before you and slightly concave loaves placed atop them..then a savoury venison stew is poured onto the bread
"You honour us," I bow in return. "These are Layjiani Dunnsfell, Gashelle Smith, Holgur," I smile at the Skandik's cheerful welcome to his distant kinsmen, "and Avinar Selintiel. I am Eltariel Elesand," I introduce myself last as we are seated. The food looks ... different, but hearty. This journey seems to be one of many new experiences.
Drinking horns of Ale or Mead are provided to wash the food down(the children present get Buttermilk)..It's good fare well cooked and seasoned and contains beans, peas and carrots. As you eat Dinorta quizzes you about your travels.
Layjiani is silent, content to let Eltariel do the talking for her. While generally not at all comfortable in large groups, she can't help but find the general good humour of the Skandik hall somewhat...infectious. These observations are not without pain for her though for she cannot help but compare the vast differences between this and her own painful upbringing amongst her kinsmen. If things had been as This, perhaps she would never have...but what is the use of wasting time dwelling on what if's.
When on of the children brings over something to the table Layjiani's attention is caught by the girl for she too is of light skin and hair amongst the much greater majority of her dark and swarthy Skandik kinsmen. Yet this girl seems completely happy and accepted here and once again, the quiet Scout feels a pang of wistful pain. The young girl, noticing Layjiani's attention, comes over to her and smiles shyly. Sensing something in her, the girl simply takes Layjiani by the hand and leads her over to the children's area. Without sound or protest Layjiani follows and sits with the other children on the floor, crossing her legs comfortably. Graduall, the innocent charms of the children draw her out of her silence and, somewhat to the surprise of her fellow caravan guards, she can been seen smiling and soon after even laughing with the young ones. None of the Rangers companions have yet seen her truly do either. Layjiani entertains the children in turn with tales of her travels and by showing them many interesting and useful ranger and rogue tricks and skills.
Unless disturbed, she will happily spend the remainder of the evening among the little ones.
Going easy on the mead and ale, Eltariel is happy to talk about our travels and encounters. In fact she is curious to see if events like the appearance of the flamebrothers have precedent around here ...
Holgur generously imbibes the flavorful drinks and tales of (mis)adventure. If there any games of strength and skill being, like arm-wrestling or knife-throwing, he throws himself in with abandon. He is careful about the attention of the women here and does not do anything that would bring the wrath of all those present down upon him.
Gashelle is polite but quiet. She keeps an eye out to understand Skandik society, and she also keeps an eye on the weather.
Aude will also speak of the trip to here . She won't speak of her origins.
As an aside , she will whisper to Eltariel 'Should we speak of the skandik tomb ? '
Avinar is amused by the traditions of the Human-Folk, he keeps to himself but does glance toward a pretty group of human females.
Dinorta listens with interest to the tales you tell but cannot help you with the origin of the flame brothers. She consults with another woman at the table who answers you
"Those creatures sound as if they dwell in Surtrs realm...but we have not seen any such hereabouts...perhaps the river shields us from them"
The strangest thing about this hall is the sense of order you all get..especially Holgur..whilst rowdy it is not the wild drinking orgy of Skandik legend. Even the contests of strength are calm and organised
"I rather think Holgur already has," Eltariel murmurs back to Aude.
"The river would certainly deter them, my lady, but if there were truly many of these creatures from the realm of fire they would have burned the forest there clean away. It is a puzzle as to how they could come from their realm to this one without powerful magic or a conjunction of planes ..." she muses.
The second woman nods...
"Aye that is truth...we should thank yhe Goddess that such things are uncommon still...there is enough to worry about with the mortal monsters we must face on a regular basis"
The goddess? Gashelle thinks to herself. Don't the Skandics have a pantheon dominated by male gods?
"What m- mortal enemies would th- those be, good l- lady?"
"The usual..Orcs, Ogres, Goblins..even giants ocassionally. But Freya guides us, she shows the way forward"
Ah. This may get to the heart of the mismatch between these people's reputation and underlying reality.
Gashelle raises her eyebrows at her companions, turns back to the hostess and asks, "Freya?"
Avinar stifles a yawn and his attention drifts away to dueling schools, and barmaids, he is quite bored of all this talk. Wondering when his next vanquished advisary shall fall at his rapier. He fumbles with the footman's mace and wonders why this type of weapon even exists at all "Barbarians" Avinar mutters under his lips.
Hearing Gashelle's question Eltariel responds.
"One of the Vanir, a goddess of love and agriculture, if I recall correctly?" she looks to Dinorta; her sources were written centuries ago, and human cultures tend to evolve swiftly.
"I see you are a student of Religion Lady..Aye our Goddess is indeed one of the Vanir...and we have followed her way for decades...which is why we are here in many ways...our Lady's father was driven from the Skandia and brought his clan here to avoid a bloody war we could only have lost.
We have as you may have surmised a different outlook from the majority of our people"Dinorta interjects "...rejecting mindless cruelty and violence for a more ordered way of life..though our warriors are still true sons of Odin we do not spill their blood in pointless fighting against our neighbours...nor do we hold that anyone not born a Skandik is a skraeling..a lesser person, almost an animal. For holding these views my father was declared outlaw by the King...so he brought us here and we have prospered...we have alliance with Tarsh and guard the river against those who would use it to raid these lands"
...nor do we hold that anyone not born a Skandik is a skraeling..a lesser person, almost an animal. For holding these views my father was declared outlaw by the King..."
The rest of Dinorta's words wash over Gashelle, who becomes transfixed. "Pardon my intrusion, good ladies. I was t- taught by the elves who dwell north and west of here. The only Elven word I know for humans-as-a-race is engabi, which is conjugated like the words for companion animals. I live among you because I have been made to see the emptiness of that word. I am p- pained to see that the idea lives among other peoples, and I am grateful to find a company such as yourselves, who pledge yourselves against that b- bias.
"In this, I offer praise to the wisdom of Freya, and pray all the heavens keep you s- safe and warm, sound and wise."
"Freya. It seems appropriate for these folk" Holgur thinks to himself. Perhaps I can learn more of them as we pass the time here.
"Do your people practice the art of kenning still?" he asks.
"Yes we have the kenning..we are not that removed from our cousins across the ocean..we merely think differently"
Avinar looks around the room and tries to locate a weaponsmith or someone he belives would be able to help him with adjusting Mother's Kiss. He wonders if he could somehow get the abilities of this footman's mace into the soul of his fineblade.
To move things along.
Larcifer finds a smith who looks doubtfully at Mothers Kiss
"Blades like this are not my usual stock in trade..we run more to axes and longswords here..but the blade is very fine work...the hilt has been added later..look here you can see..."over the next half hour or so he gives an honest and workmanlike appraisal of the blade but will not work on it it as he would not like to spoil another craftsmans work
The storm persists throughout the meal and some time beyond before finally petering out around about 9pm.The night is spent peacefully in the steading and the morning once again dawns clear.
Eltariel predicts another scorching hot day
As we embark in the early morning light Eltariel turns to Avinar.
"Did I hear aright that you want to improve your dear blade?" she asks him. "You know I trained for a while under Derobanic the weaponsmith, I think that with the right tools, and time, I may be able to help you, my friend - especially if I study up on how to enchant a blade."
"Yes Eltariel, I would, I could never bring myself to using another weapon, Mother's Kiss is so much to me it is like the brush I use to paint a canvas" Avinar looks down at the hilt, "I sense something tingling in my hand, at times, I wonder if there is more to this steel"
Ealtariel reaches out and touches the hilt (and Avinar's hand).
"Love, loyalty, commitment, hopes and dreams are here," she tells him seriously. "It's an ancient and powerful kind of magic called faith," she smiles.
Avinar looks from the hilt of Mother's Kiss to Eltariel's eyes, his heart races, and he gently grasps her hand, he says softly, "Thank you" He sheaths the weapon and walks away.
The day is totally uneventful apart from the sun beating down from a clear blue sky once again...You shelter from the sun once more at it's worst and the evening sees you making camp about 10 miles south of Discam. The horses are tired but nothing a nights rest won't fix as far as Eltariel can tell
The woods you have camped near are runmoured to be the haunt of powerful undead and lycanthropes so it only stands reason to scout the area once camp is made. Layjiani sets out to do just that and returns some time later reporting that she has found what appears to be a cave not too far away.
Layjiani
You didn't enter the cave as it didnt seem prudent to do so alone
"Did you investigate, or find any tracks leading in or out?" I ask Layjiani.
Aude stands up from where she was sitted
'Ok let's go where there is still light '